280505 VU PM-Nawi Methods for understanding the evolution of galaxies and their dark matter halos (PI) (2019S)

This course will provide a sample of the exciting new methods that astrophysicists are using to understand how galaxies evolve, and the nature of the dark matter halos they live in. The lectures will explore the physics of galaxy evolution by discussing recent observational results which have lead theorists to explore the mutual impact that baryons (stars, gas) and dark matter have on each other. Some of these topics will relate to the internal processes which drive galaxy evolution, for example feedback from stellar explosions, while others will focus on the variety of environmental processes which can transform galaxies and their dark matter halos. In addition to physical descriptions of these processes, the lectures will show cutting-edge examples of observational and theoretical tools are used in the field to explore the impact of each process. For example, how chemical abundances or the motions of stars help us infer the structure of the dark matter halo; or how we can learn about the invisible past merger history of a galaxy (and its super massive black holes). We will attempt to simulate the impact of these processes with common analytic and numerical tools during some of the group exercise portions - in essence 'building' a galaxy step by step over the duration of the course, and evolving it on a simple desktop/laptop computer. It is envisioned that some lectures can be adapted to interests of the students in the class, and the exercises (see below for more details) will occur in a collaborative environment. All aspects of the course will be given in English.